NEW DELHI: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel al-Jubeir, made a surprise visit to New Delhi late Tuesday night, fueling speculation about Riyadh’s intentions to mediate amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The unannounced visit, not included in the minister’s official itinerary, comes at a delicate moment as relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors remain fraught, following cross-border ceasefire violations, sharp diplomatic exchanges, and heightened security measures.
During his visit, al-Jubeir held closed-door meetings with Indian officials, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Although no official statements were released immediately after the talks, sources within the Indian government described the discussions as “strategic and timely,” considering the ongoing tensions in the region.
Saudi Arabia, which maintains strong ties with both India and Pakistan, has traditionally refrained from taking sides in their disputes. However, analysts believe that the timing of the visit indicates Riyadh’s concern over the potential for further escalation and its possible impact on regional stability. Saudi Arabia has significant economic and geopolitical interests in South Asia, including energy deals, infrastructure investments, and expatriate labor relations, all of which could be threatened by prolonged conflict between the two nations.
The visit also comes as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman aims to expand Saudi Arabia’s global diplomatic influence, particularly in Asia. India and Saudi Arabia have deepened their strategic partnership in recent years, with cooperation in counterterrorism, trade, and energy security. Saudi Arabia’s engagement in both India and Pakistan suggests an effort to position itself as a neutral peace broker in the region.
Sources suggest that discussions during the visit went beyond India-Pakistan tensions, addressing topics like defense cooperation, regional terrorism threats, and energy security. However, the central focus of the visit appeared to be managing the volatility in South Asia. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has been active diplomatically in Pakistan, offering economic assistance and encouraging peace initiatives in the region.
The visit also reflects Saudi Arabia’s concern over China’s growing influence in South Asia, particularly through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its own complex relations with India. This engagement signals Riyadh’s growing involvement in balancing regional power dynamics.
While the outcomes of al-Jubeir’s visit remain unclear, the move is seen as a sign of Saudi Arabia’s evolving foreign policy, one that seeks to play a more proactive role in conflict resolution and global diplomacy. Diplomatic experts believe the visit could represent a new chapter in Middle Eastern diplomacy, extending beyond its traditional sphere of influence.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs is expected to release a formal briefing later this week. Until then, speculation will continue regarding the potential implications of this visit on the region’s geopolitical balance and Saudi Arabia’s ability to play a constructive role in defusing tensions between India and Pakistan.
